Outside the building, as they walked to his car, he opened the door and got in. Camila looking at the car like it's a bad omen. Her body suddenly uncomfortable in that dress.
"You will not get in?" Eric arched his brows at her. "I don't bite and if you want to go separately, I don't give a fuck about that." He added and ignited his car.
"Sorry, I'm just nervous. I apologize if I'm a burden to you."
"You're already a burden since Evie is so talented in manipulating me to giving out my apartment to you. Don't fucking waste my time or I will leave you for real. And trust me, I won't open my gate once it's 10pm. I assure you that." He replied.
Camila sighed and walked over to the car and entered. Inside the car, it was supposed to be cool with the AC on but she felt hot. Sitting beside his boss in his car wasn't something she's expecting. Having to work with him closely was enough.
Why does she keep getting close to him? At this point, running away from him is no longer possible.
If Eric had seen the way she appeared stiff and her cheeks flushed with heat, he choose to ignore. He started the vehicle and they drove home.
Getting to the location, it was truly a palace. His residence rose beyond the private gates like a modern palace carved from stone and glass. A long, curved driveways swept toward the entrance, bordered by perfectly trimmed hedges and water features that moved in quiet controlled rhythms.
She was so tempted to know what the interior of the house looks like.
Eric packed at his garage that housed extra three cars. A Lamborghini Revuelta, Rolls Royce Phantom VIII and a Bugatti Chiron.
Camila came down, followed Eric behind as he quietly led her to her new apartment. Tucked behind Eric's mansion, almost hidden by tall trees, stood a modest building Eric owned. Its small balcony lined with potted plants.
"That's your apartment. Evie already had your things in there." He broke the silence that had held for long and turned back to go.
Camila caught a glimpse his eyes. Those blue eyes that the thought of it suddenly does wonders to her.
"Thank you for letting me in." She smiled at him.
Is that permitted? She mentally warned herself not to try that again.
Eric grunted at her words. He didn't stop or even give her a glance. He walked until he was out of sight.
Camila walked inside, it was small but carefully arranged. Soft light filtered through the sheer curtains. The living area held a simple couch, bookshelf and some scientific journals her dad had gathered. Everything is here with her again. She made a tour to the kitchen and her bedroom that had a small workspace area. She was satisfied.
This is going to be a long night.
She thought of calling Evie. That silly girl had done well to give her the best surprise of her life. Being together for two years, they had met at a hospital they were both admitted to, began friends and more when she applied for a job in The Slyvester Georgia lab, and she didn't even give a sign that she's a cousin to Eric. Queen of keeping secret. The award goes to her.
She would call her tomorrow. For now, she needs to sleep this shock away.
******************************************************************************
ERIC
Watson wagged his tail excitedly at Eric's presence. He bent to pat the big guy playfully at the back.
"What's up, Man?" Watson barked in return.
Eric turned, heading to his room to freshen up. He had gotten to his bedroom, his eyes glanced down from his window, to the building that he had took Camila in. He could see partially, the inside of the living room and kitchen.
How he had agreed with Evie to let her stay in his premises, he still doesn't know why.
But he will make some rules. Boundaries that are not supposed to be crossed.
He walked passed that piano, back to the bathroom to take his showers when he heard her scream and something like glass, shattered. He stopped on his tracks, hesistating whether to check why she screamed.
"She's not a child." He muttered to himself and proceeded into the bathroom.
Letting himself care about anyone isn't what he signed up for. Caring for others won't gain him anything.
He had done that to people he claimed he love but left him in the end or for someone else.
Digging into old wound. Most especially, Briana. He was grateful she didn't drive him to the asylum. When he needed her the most when he lost both parents, she left.
It drive him crazy. He loved her so much than any other woman.
"You have become too much to handle." She told him. "I'm now with someone else. Deal with your loss all by yourself."
As he took his bath, he hoped the water would wash down the remaining memory of her down to the tiniest bits.
His phone rang, he walked towards it while he wrapped his towel around his torso. Victoria Ashford. He frowned.
There comes another woman. His situationship.
Like she knew he'd been thinking of the women in his life.
He picked. "Hi." He answered gruffly.
She was the banking heiress, whose family has global influence and financial manipulation. Eric had met with her father to discuss some business deals when he mentioned that he's love to introduced his daughter to him. Claiming Victoria is ready to settle down and he'd love Eric to be the perfect son-in-law.
Eric hadn't say anything, but Victoria on the other hand took things further into her hands. She'd come to his house once in while to visit and to mark her territory. She would walk naked around the house to seduce him, but he'd turned her down.
Victoria had pursued him relentlessly after their families' business dinner. What started as a one-time mistake had become a pattern he couldn't seem to break, though he'd never promised her more than he was willing to give.
But that's her issue. He doesn't want any strings attached. They had good sex, yes. But he's not ready to settle down.
"Hey, Eric" She replied, sweetly. "Took you so long to pick my calls. No texts, no calls. I have to do that. That's not sweet, you know that. I'm going to be your fiancee soon."
Eric sighed. That attitude. "What do you want?"
"Hey, are you angry at me?" She scoffed. "That's your problem. Just wanted to tell you that, I will be coming to the company's event next tomorrow. So you should be ready to see me. Paris is so boring."
"You don't have to come." He walked towards the bedroom window. His eyes caught Camila outside the house, talking a walk and appreciating the gentle breeze that seems to be having issues with her hair.
She was smilling.
"Oh, you know how stubborn i can be. I will be arriving at New York tomorrow. Hope no woman has touched you when I'm away. Because I'm going to cut their hands off."
"Do whatever you want and go back. Do not cause trouble." He replied and pressed the red button before she could say anything else.
Camila must have heard his voice, she looked around until her eyes met his. They stared at each other. None wanting to break off contact.
Finally, he broke it first. "Do you want to come in?" He cleared his throat softly.
